ML629109166

Detalles de la observación

First observed by Russell and relayed to us by Forrest, the bird was found circling a few trees on the lawn in front of the parking lot. It was very cooperative and Katie, Grub, and I were able to get good looks. The bird displayed strong signs of being a male juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, displaying the following characteristics: a back with broad but light markings, buffy plumage near the upper back, no red nape, a limited red throat that did not bleed into the black malar stripe, and an obvious yellow belly. We then began discussing potential signs of hybridization with a Red-naped Sapsucker. We spent time noting field marks, consulting guides, and eventually reading an ABA article on the variation between Red-naped and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Based on photos and observed characteristics, we did not note any obvious signs of hybridization: no red-nape, no bleeding red throat, back barring is not in nice columns, and the upper back was not white. However, this might be because the bird is molting from juvenile plumage into adult plumage (noting though that this is typical for Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers during winter and atypical for Red-naped). With no clear indications of Red-naped traits, the bird’s ongoing molt, and the presence of distinct back markings, a yellow belly, and a contained red throat, we decided to report it as a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. While it is difficult to identify with certainty and definitively rule out a hybrid, we couldn’t identify any diagnostic evidence to suggest hybridization at this stage in the bird’s life cycle.